Vestibular rehabilitation in Perth

Why vestibular rehab matters after concussion

After a concussion, dizziness and balance problems are often blamed on the brain alone. In many people, the vestibular system (your inner ear balance organs) and how your eyes track movement are part of the picture. That can show up as room-spinning vertigo, feeling unsteady, nausea in supermarkets, or symptoms that flare when you turn your head quickly.

Rest alone rarely fixes that. Vestibular rehabilitation uses targeted exercises and gradual exposure to movement so your brain and balance systems learn to work together again. At Heads Up, this sits inside concussion physiotherapy, not as a separate guesswork add-on.

If you have not had a recent concussion assessment, we usually start there. If symptoms have already lasted weeks, vestibular rehab often forms part of Post-Concussion Syndrome management.

What vestibular rehabilitation involves

Your first visit includes a history of the injury and your dizziness pattern: what triggers symptoms, how long they last, and whether neck pain or visual strain is involved. We examine eye movements, head and neck contribution, balance, and coordination.

Treatment is staged. You may receive canal repositioning techniques where appropriate, habituation exercises for motion sensitivity, gaze stabilisation drills, balance progressions, and neck treatment when the cervical spine is contributing. We set homework you can do safely at home and adjust load each visit based on your response.

Our approach aligns with Complete Concussions multi-modal care: vestibular work alongside exertion, sleep, and return-to-learn or return to sport planning when you are ready.

Read why recovery should be personalised and what is a concussion for broader context.

How to book and what to bring

Book online or call 0401 498 498. Tell us if dizziness started after a recent head injury or has been ongoing. No GP referral is required; we welcome a referral letter if your doctor has sent you.

• Date and mechanism of any head injury (or when dizziness began)
• Symptoms and triggers (head movement, screens, busy environments)
• Prior concussions, neck injuries, or inner ear problems
• Work, sport, or study demands you need to return to
• Any imaging or specialist letters you already have

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you can balance in. Avoid heavy meals immediately before your first session if nausea is a major symptom.

Fees and transparency

Vestibular rehabilitation is billed as physiotherapy consultations. A concussion initial appointment is $139 (in person or telehealth); follow-ups are $115. Standard physiotherapy sessions apply if you are attending for general physio rates listed on our contact page. We explain recommended session frequency before you proceed. Private health rebates apply on the spot for in-clinic visits; telehealth rebates are via invoice upload to your fund.

When to seek other care first

Heads Up is a specialist day clinic, not an emergency department. Go to hospital if you have sudden severe headache, repeated vomiting, weakness, slurred speech, double vision that is new and persistent, or other neurological red flags. Healthdirect outlines when dizziness needs urgent care.

Sudden hearing loss, acute vertigo with no head injury history, or symptoms that point to a non-concussion inner ear or neurological condition may need ENT or specialist review. We refer onward when appropriate and continue rehab when it is safe to do so.